Plant a Hummingbird Feeder

Photo by Matt Kear"maker" Flickr.com

Hummingbirds return to Michigan this time of year. Putting out feeders filled with homemade nectar (recipe) can help them survive until there are flowers to provide the real thing. Plant a variety of native plants to supply them with flower nectar all season long. Click here for a list of plants they will love.

Make a Home for Native Bees

Mason Bee House by "poppet with a camera" Flickr.com

April is the time to put out a bee house to help our native bees. Many species of solitary bees nest in hollow plant stems or small holes in dead trees. If you provide a place for them to nest, they will reward you by pollinating your fruit trees and vegetable gardens. For easy directions click ﻿here﻿.

Music of the Night﻿

Spring Peeper by Douglas Mills "dmills727" Flickr.com

Spring Peepers, Chorus Frogs and Wood Frogs can be heard singing in Mid-Michigan ponds and wetlands in early April. The males call to attract mates soon after ice melts in the spring. Growing native plants will attract the insects frogs and toads need to eat. Listen to the sounds they make by clicking here.

Save a Snag

Snag With Woodpecker Holesby "MTSOfan" Flickr.com

Dead trees are a valuable source of food and shelter for insects, birds, and mammals. Consider allowing a snag to stay standing on your property as long as there isn't any danger of it falling on a structure or person. Click here for more information.

Native Plants for Pollinators

Rusty-Patched Bumble Bee by Dan Mullen "milesizz" Flickr.com

Bees are declining due to a host of factors including pesticide use and loss of habitat. The Rusty Patched Bumble Bee was listed as an endangered species by the US Fish and Wildlife Service effective March 21, 2017. You can help by planting native plants that provide nutritious pollen and nectar for these fascinating insects. For ideas on which plants will grow best in your soil and light conditions click here.

Courting Cranes﻿

Sandhill Cranes by Robb Hannawacker "Ranger Robb" Flickr.com

Sandhill Cranes are back in the area and are courting.These are the largest birds in Michigan and they are coming back from their Florida wintering grounds. The DNR website states that Michigan has 805 breeding pairs.

Their courtship rituals include dancing, calling and throwing sticks. See for yourself in this video.

Help Us Celebrate Our 15th Anniversary!

Wild Ones 15th Anniversary March 2017

In March of 2002 the Red Cedar Chapter graduated from a "seedling chapter" to an officially recognized chapter of Wild Ones Natural Landscapers, Ltd. In the 15 years since, we have grown from 9 members to over 80 members. At our March meeting we will celebrate this milestone. See all the details here.

The Birds are Back in Town﻿

Red-winged Blackbird by Thorsten Becker Flickr.com

The first Red-wing Blackbirds were heard singing in South Lansing on February 23, 2017 (about 3 weeks earlier than usual.) These birds migrate to the Southern United States and Mexico for the winter and are just now returning to stake out a breeding territory.

New Weapon Against Buckthorn

Buckthorn Baggie from www.buckthornbaggie.com

University of Wisconsin–Madison engineering senior Matthew Hamilton invented a new way to keep invasive Buckthorn trees from resprouting after they have been cut--without the use of herbicides! A Buckthorn Baggie placed over the cut stump deprives the plant of light and eventually kills it. Learn more from this University of Wisconsin news article or by visiting the website.

What Made Those Tracks?

Photo by Owen Massey McKnight"addedentry" Flickr.com

Ever wonder which animals made the tracks you see after a fresh snowfall? Even city dwellers can get a wide variety of interesting wildlife visiting their bird feeders and native plantings. Follow this link for a guide to help identify which animals those track belong to...Guide to Animal Tracks

Invasive Insects Stink

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug by Penn State "pennstatenews"
Flickr.com

The invasive Brown Marmorated Stink Bug has become established in the Lansing area. They feed on over 300 species of agricultural crops and ornamental plants. They often try to get inside homes and other structures to overwinter. For more information click here.

Help Identifying Native Grasses

Indian Grass SeedheadPhoto by Marilena "Arilenamy", Flickr.com

Late Summer is the best time to identify prairie grasses because of their unique seed heads. To make this easier Grand Prairie Friends has put together an identification guide for eleven native grasses that folds into a pocket sizedbooklet. Download it below or from their website.

Deer Resistant Native Plants

White Tailed Deer by Colby Stopa Flickr.com

Are deer using your landscape as an all-you-can-eat buffet? Download our list of deer resistant native plants below for options they will avoid. Remember that new plants fresh from the nursery are especially nutritious and succulent. Keep new plants caged to protected them until they are established. Then the listed plants should be able to survive, since deer generally find them unpalatable.

Monarch Butterflies and Milkweed

Monarch Butterfly on MilkweedPhoto by Martin LaBar, Flickr.com

Did you know that Monarch butterflies are dependent on milkweed? It is the only food source for their c﻿aterpillars. Modern farming and roadside maintenance activities have reduced the amount of milkweed available. You can help by planting milkweeds on your own property. For more information on Monarchs click here or download the brochure below.

Plant a Hummingbird Feeder

Hummingbird Visiting Bee Balm by Matt Kear "mkear" Flickr.com

Hummingbirds return to Michigan this time of year. Putting out feeders filled with homemade nectar (recipe) can help them survive until there are flowers to provide the real thing. Plant a variety of native plants to supply them with flower nectar all season long. Click here for a list of plants they will love.

Pinch Perennials Now to Control Height

Joe-Pye Weed
by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Northeast Region Flickr.com

Do you want to plant native flowers for the birds, bees and butterflies but find that some are just too tall? You can shorten the height of Asters, Bee Balm, Joe-Pye Weed, Culver's Root and others by pinching back the new growth in June. You can cut them back by as much as 1/2 to 2/3 which will result in shorter, more compact plants with more flowers. Click here for more information.

Natural Control for Creeping Charlie﻿﻿

Creeping Charlie by Frank Mayfield "gmayfield10" Flickr.com

The European weed, Creeping Charlie, invades shady damp areas and can smother a lawn. If you are tired of hand weeding, Borax can help. Research done by Iowa State University indicates that this laundry booster can control Creeping Charlie when applied properly. Click here for the recipe.

﻿﻿Mobilize Against Garlic Mustard﻿﻿

Garlic Mustard by "hspauldi" Flickr.com

Garlic Mustard will be blooming soon. Spring is the time to pull these invasive plants out by their roots to keep them from taking over our natural areas. The Stewardship Network's Garlic Mustard Challenge is a fun way to make a difference. Get more information by clicking here.

Plan for Pollinators

Spiderwort and Yarrow byJoshua Mayer "wackybadger" Flickr.com

Perennial plants flower at different times throughout the season. Plan your landscape to include sources of pollen and nectar from Spring until Fall so bees, butterflies and hummingbirds always have a source of food. Here is a link to a guide from Michigan State University to help you. Native Flowering Plants

Wild Ones T-shirt Sale for Red Cedar Chapter Members

The Wildflower T-shirt Adult Sizes S, M, L, XLColor: Natural

The Red Cedar Chapter is once again offering a 25% discount on Wild Ones T-shirts exclusively to Chapter members. Either of these two styles can be purchased for $15 each. Non-members can purchase the shirts for their list price of $20. If you would like to purchase a T-shirt, send an E-mail indicating which styles, sizes, colors and quantities you would like. Plan to mail a check or pay in person at the July or August Chapter events. T-shirts will be available for pickup at fall chapter events unless other arrangements are made.If you would like to join the Red Cedar Chapter in order take advantage of this special offer click here.

Roots T-shirtAdult Sizes: S, M, L, XLColors: White, Green, or Sand

Rejuvenate Your Landscape with Native Shrubs

Buttonbush by Dan Perkins "Bulucanagria" Flickr.com

Did some of your shrubs get destroyed by heavy ice and snow this winter, or were they eaten by rabbits? Consider replacing them with native shrubs which are better suited to Michigan's weather extremes. Click here for some ideas from Michigan State Extension.

The Monarchs are Coming and They Need Our Help!

Monarch by "TexasEagle"
Flickr.com

The northward migration of Monarch butterflies is beginning. Migrating monarch butterflies are in "grave danger," according to a report that shows their colonies in Mexico now occupy the smallest area since records began in 1993.

﻿Dapper Dads﻿

Goldfinch in April Snow
by "Stevesworldofphotos" Flickr.com

Despite the cooler than normal temperatures in Mid-Michigan, male Goldfinches are changing to their brightly colored plumage in preparation for breeding season. To learn more and hear their songs click here.

Monarch Butterflies and Milkweed

Monarch Butterfly on MilkweedPhoto by Martin LaBar, Flickr.com

Did you know that monarch butterflies are dependent on milkweed for laying their eggs? The monarch c﻿aterpillars feed solely on the plant and it is a plant that can be pushed out by other non-native plants. For more info on butterflies and milkweed click here

Honey Bee on Lilac Treeby Brandon Grasley Flickr.com

Honey Bee Issues

Honey bees are a major component of any healthy ecosystem and are very important pollinators of native plants. Recently honey bees have been experiencing population declines and this is impacting native plant species heavily as well. If you would like to learn more about honey bees and the problems facing them click here

Photo of Chickadee by "Bella_189" Flickr.com

Nature's Bird FeederConsider leaving native perennial stalks standing all winter. The seeds and overwintering insects on this stubble help provide food for our feathered friends. Native trees and shrubs are another important source of seeds and berries for birds during the winter. Follow this link for an article about Winter Birds in the Wildlife Garden

No leaves on the trees? Learn to identify native trees by their bark. Many have distinctive features that will help you name them regardless of the season. Click here for photos.

On April 24th, the Wild Ones Red Cedar Chapter was honored to receive a2013 Tri-County EnvironmentalLeadership Award!Follow this link to view a recent Lansing State Journal article highlighting these awards.

Learn how you can help save the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly. Volunteers are needed to help monitor populations and restore habitat in Michigan's Huron-Manistee National Forest. Download the file below for all the details.

Several Wild Ones Red Cedar Chapter members received awards for their volunteer efforts at Fenner Nature Center this year. An article in the "Seasons" newsletter (below) has all the details. Congratulations to our outstanding members!